un. freaking. believable. period.

For better or for worse, we managed to wake up at 5:30 and leave Kruger by 6:15 to get back Pretoria by 10:30 in preparation for our final day/match. Because our B&B was within the no-drive zone around Loftus Verfeld, we tried to get to our there early, and we did. Luckily, Carien had our room ready, and we were able to get in and chillax. It seemed like there were nothing but Americans draped in flags heading to the 4:00 game at 10 am. Americans know how to pre-game it...

After eating some lunch, we headed over to the stadium. Unlike Joburg, the atmosphere was extremely rowdy. Algerians, as we learned in Stellenbosch, know how to get party. Lots of crazy Algerians, some of whom may have been chanting "F%&# USA" and "Watch out - I'll bomb you" (tongue in cheek). But, more than anything, there were crazy, fully costumed obnoxious Americans chanting and singing and acting like idiots. And by "obnoxious" I mean really fun and entertaining. We found Loftus Versfeld to be smaller and more intimate than Ellis Park. Again, lots of US flags and lots of chanting. But the Algerians in attendance were definitely enthusiastic and prepared for a battle.

To summarize what I'm sure many of you saw, we blew multiple opportunities, including at least 2 open net shots, and were tied at 0 going into the 60th, 70th, 80th and 90th minutes. I cannot find words to describe the atmosphere from about the 65th minute. I could feel my heart thumping, sitting on the edge of my seat, standing and yelling at every scoring chance, throwing my hat and yelling what the hell are you doing?!?! when scoring chances went wrong. It was totally insane. They showed 4 extra minutes at the end of regulation, and we knew we needed to keep pressing or we wouldn't make it past pool play (knowing England was beating Slovenia). In what seemed like another scoring chance, the ball was lofted in and blocked, except this time "Landycakes", as our new friend called him all match, followed up with an open goal and the entire stadium went nuts (except for our poor Algerian friends). Words cannot describe the excitement and shenanigans than followed. It was seriously the most awesome sporting experience of my life. Seriously. This made everything worthwhile. We knew Engand was winning, when we scored we knew we'd win our group and Sarah and Beth would get to see the US v. someone on Saturday.

Following the game we headed back to our "home" bar Eastwoods. The bouncer wanted us to pay 100R per person, but when he realized it was 3 girls and 1 guy, he offered to negotiate. We ended up paying 200R for me, and we're pretty sure that all went into the one bouncers pocket. We proceeded to have celebratory sprinkbokkies (amarula and peppermint liquer) and beers and platters. When it was all said and done, we had multiple sprinkbokkies, several platters of fried foods, saw Bill Clinton drive by the bar (for reals), had our picture taken with a cardboard Faux-bama wearing a Bafana Bafana jersey and a USA bandana, and sang the Star Spangled Banner (mixed in with Top 40 favorites) with hundreds of our countrymen.

While not trying to overstate things, one of our new friends called today one of the greatest moments of his life. I can't disagree. Tears may have been shed. Seriously. The unbridaled patriotism, and fantatical enthusiasm of the entire crowd was something I've never experienced before. We knew when Landycakes scored that goal not only did we live to fight another day, we won a group that had 3 other quality teams. Soccer fans are by nature, how you say, insane. But today I think I sort of started to understand why - the WC is something that brings all races and nationalities together. Even the Algerians, who just lost a heartbreaking game, were nothing but courteous and celebratory at Eastwoods, wishing us the best in our next round match.

Jen and I are sad to be going home, and extremely jealous that Sarah and Beth will get to see the US in the round of 16. We can only hope the mojo continues and we live to see the July 2nd quarterfinal match....

Already planning Brazil 2014. Are you ready? Ayoba!

MO